Abstract
PurposeThe objective of this paper is to open a discussion on the implications and challenges of including positive impacts in LCAs of products and to propose a set of criteria for their inclusion in LCA in general and in the Oiconomy system in particular.MethodsUsing the existing literature, guided by the recent reviews by Di Cesare et al. (2018), Petti et al. (2016), and Ekener-Petersen et al. (Int J Life Cycle Assess 23(3):1–13, 2016) and our own experience and logic, we assess ethical and practical issues, shortcomings, potential inconsistencies, and problems of inclusion of positive impacts and propose criteria for inclusion of positive impacts in LCA.ResultsDiscussed in relation to the inclusion of positive impacts in LCA are the conflicting descriptive and prescriptive character of LCA, the inclusion of internalities, considering “absence of negative impacts” as positive, measuring by status or by change and the therewith involved temporal scope, moral consequences of comparing positive and negative impacts to different stakeholder groups, the requirement of a capacity-raising character and maintenance of a positive impact, rebound effects, R&D, background and foreground data on positive impacts, and the inclusion of employment and product utilities as positive impacts. Based on this assessment, we propose a set of criteria for the assessment of positive impacts in life cycle assessment in general and especially of positive contributions in the “Oiconomy system”.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates several serious ethical and practical issues and challenges related to inclusion of positive impacts in LCA. An especially difficult question is how to interpret the economic concepts of “externalities” and “internalities” in relation to LCA. A special definition of in- and externalities for LCA purposes is proposed. The importance of a “capacity-raising” character of a positive impact is demonstrated, but also some of the difficulties of distinguishing capacity raising from maintaining the current status. Important outcomes are that for a consistent LCA, inclusion of most internalities and absence of negative impacts must be dissuaded, which also applies to employment and wages unless without a range of additional criteria. Great caution must be taken with inclusion of product utilities, comparing the positives for one stakeholder group with the negatives for another and mixing measurement by status with measurement by change.
Highlights
The UNEP Guidelines for S-LCA (Benoît Norris et al 2009, p.100), define S-LCA as “a social impact assessment technique that aims to assess the social and socio-economic aspects of products and their positive and negative impacts along their life cycle”
Because the practical goal of both E-LCA and S-LCA is to fill this information gap for decision-makers, and not to become a marketing tool for already known positives, in our opinion, the scientific community should be very cautious with the inclusion of positives in their assessments, and set criteria
This study demonstrates several serious ethical and practical issues and challenges to consider before including positive impacts in LCA and especially S-LCA
Summary
The UNEP Guidelines for S-LCA (Benoît Norris et al 2009, p.100), define S-LCA as “a social impact assessment technique that aims to assess the social and socio-economic aspects of products and their positive and negative impacts along their life cycle”. That is precisely what the tool presented in these guidelines wants to deliver” (Benoît Norris et al 2009, p.16). From this text, it is not clear if or how the original UNEP Guidelines intended to include both internalities and externalities for positive impacts. It is not clear if or how the original UNEP Guidelines intended to include both internalities and externalities for positive impacts It is not even clear what is meant with the term “internalities,” the economic concept of unwanted impacts of traded products, or the concept of product features, already monetized by economic transactions. The 2019 user guide of the Net Positive Project states: “Focusing on areas of biggest impact and opportunity, a company inevitably must consider shifts to its core business or operating model” (Net Positive Project 2019, p.14)
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